In a first, children with neurodevelopmental conditions, cancer tour Srinagar’s tulip garden for therapy

In a rare initiative, patients, including children with cancer and neurodevelopmental conditions, from Kashmir’s top medical hospitals toured the blooming tulip garden in Srinagar for a therapeutic experience, and the doctors “see a visible positive change”.  

A total of 16 children, along with their parents and caregivers, immersed themselves in the garden with over 1.8 million blooming tulips in Srinagar on Monday (April 6, 2026). 

“The idea was to support children’s mental well-being by taking them beyond the clinical setting. Such experiences help reduce stress and allow children to express themselves more freely, which complements the therapeutic work we do at Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences-Kashmir (IMHANS-K),” Dr. Adil Fayaz Wadoo, programme coordinator of the Child Guidance and Wellbeing Centre (CGWC) of the IMHANS-K, told The Hindu.

The children included those with neurodevelopmental conditions like autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The tour was held under the guidance of a joint team of the Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital and the Government Children Hospital, Srinagar.

Spring in Kashmir brings an end to a four-month prolonged winter period, during which the sunlight as well as daylight gets reduced. Besides, colours of trees and plants also fade and the atmosphere is dominated by shades of grey. With Kashmir again brimming with colours of orchid blooms and flowers in city gardens, the hospitals in Srinagar see a reason to use it as a therapy. 

“Natural environments can have a calming effect on children. Being in such spaces helps reduce stress, improves mood, and encourages interaction, all of which are important for their emotional well-being,” said Dr. Wadoo.

Doctors said the children were more relaxed, interactive, and comfortable in the blooming garden. “We could see a clear positive change in their mood and engagement,” said Dr. Wadoo.

Officials said the initiative focused on patient safety, structured movement, and supervised participation, with medical teams providing on-site supervision and emergency support.

Another batch of paediatric cancer patients from the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, also visited the tulip garden. 

“The initiative is grounded in scientific understanding. Such positive experiences have a direct impact on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, thereby enhancing emotional well-being and happiness among children,” said Prof. Ashraf Ganie, director of the SKIMS. 

He said similar outings will be organized for cancer survivors and young children living with diabetes in the next phase. “It will provide these young warriors with a day of joy, hope, and healing beyond hospital walls—amidst the vibrant bloom of tulips and the calming embrace of nature,” said Dr. Ganie.

Officials of the SKIMS said the rare initiative “stood as a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, moments of beauty and happiness can blossom”.

A spokesman of the Directorate of Floriculture said it was aimed at providing such a section of the society an opportunity to have the beauty of the Valley, “who otherwise are unable to visit such places”.